Automatic lathe



Feb. 21, 1933. Q sg AE 1,898,902

AUTOMAT I C LATHE Filed July 9, 1931 4 Seets-Seet 1 vwenrr: 0660 Schaerer,

Feb. 21, 1933. Q SCHAERER 1,898,902

AUTOMAT I C LATHE y 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inuntor: 0E0 Sckaerer,

Feb. 21, 1933.-

o. SCHAERER AUTOMATIC LATHE Filed July 9, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 O. SCHAERER AUTOMATIC LATHE Feb. 21, 1933.

Filed July 9, 1931. 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventbr Ofia ficzzaerer,

Patented Feb. 21, 1933 unrrso STATES PATENT OFFICE OTTO S(FHAERER, F BASEL, SWITZERLAND AUTOMATIC LATHE Application filedJuly 9, 1931, Serial No. 549,734, and in Switzerland August 8,1930.

The invention relates to a muiti-spindle machine of the vertical type for machining solid or hollow material in lengths into short work pieces, the lengths of 'material being presented to the tools by vertically arranged spindles. Itis characterized by the feature that the hollow Work piece spindles provided with means to grip and feed. forward the material automatically and carried by a re volver drum are rotated upon their own axes at such a'sp'eed that the work pieces within them set themselves accurately centrally owing to centripetal force so that the known chattering movements of the lengths of material are avoided.

In this type of machine with work piece spindles rotating on their own axes a separate control for the forward feed of the material is necessary, which must be so arranged that no interference with the rotation of the spindle is caused thereby. This control is effected in the manner described below by separate mechanism lying outside the path of-rotation of the spindles.

The drawings show by way of example an embodiment of the invention in which operation upon rod form material by means of vertically and horizontally fed tools is adopted. I Figure 1 shows the whole machine in front view. I

Figure 2 is a plan thereof.

Figure 3 shows in plan certain of the parts arranged on the pedestal.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section on the line A-B of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a vertical section of the machine taken on two different planes and drawn to a larger scale.

Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 10m illustrate details of the machine. I

Figure 11 shows one of the work pieces which can be produced by the machine, and

Figure 12 shows a'detail modification;

45 Figure 13 represents in vertical section a further modification.

Figure 14 is a corresponding horizontal section thereof.

On the pedestal 1 (Figures 1 and 5) is mounted an electric motor 2 which through a safety coupling 2, a horizontal shaft 3, a change speed gear 3, a countershaft 4 and bevel gears 5, 6 drives the vertical main shaft 7. The latter drives through a gear wheel 8 a set of vertical spindles 10 rotating 5% on their own axes, arranged to hold the work pieces in form of rods and carried in a vertical revolver drum 9 so that they can be moved from one working station to the next, the spindles being provided with small ,5? wheels 10 meshing with the greater common driving wheel 8 whereby they are rotated upon their axes at high speed, this speed depending on the kind of the material of the work pieces and on the diameter thereof. The shaft 3 drives through a chain another J shaft 11 which'through a worm 11 (Figure 3) and a worm wheel 12 drives an auxiliary control shaft 12, and through aworm 11 a Worm Wheel 14: with a toothed coupling head 15 mounted loose upon a counter-shaft 13. On the shaft 12 is a cam 16 with which coacts a roller on a clutch disengaging lever 17. On the shaft 13 is slidably keyed a toothed coupling 18 which under the action of a helical spring normally engages with the coupling head 15 to drive the shaft 13 from the worm wheel 14. This drive can be interrupted by sliding of the coupling sleeve 18 effected from the auxiliary control shaft 12 during its rotation by the cam 16 and the clutch lever 17.

, The counter-shaft 13 is in driving connection through a change speed gear 19 with a shaft 21 on which a toothed coupling sleeve 22 is slidably keyed. Opposite the sleeve 22 a coupling sleeve 23 carrying a bevel wheel 24 is mounted loose upon theshaft and runs in wide bearing 25. The sleeve 22 can be coupled and uncoupled by a hand lever 26 and fork 27.

Beneath the shaft 21 lies an auxiliary shaft 28 which at one end carries a toothed wheel 28 which meshes with a toothed wheel 28 (Figure 1) on the coupling sleeve 23, and at the other end is provided with a hand crank 29 by which if necessary the coupling sleeve 23 can be rotated by-hand. The bevel Wheel 24 which can be rotated automatically IQO from the shaft 21 or by hand through the shaft 28, meshes with a bevel wheel (Figures 4 and 5) which is mounted on a radially directed shaft 31. This shaft 31 and two further radially directed shafts 34, form the feed shafts uniformly distributed around the axis of the machine, for the various tools, which here, corresponding with the number of work spindles 10, are provided in six pairs, each pair comprising a vertically workin tool and a horizontally working tool. he tool feed shaft 31 carries abevel wheel 31 which meshes with a wheel 33 loosely mounted on the vertical main shaft 7 and borne in the oil tray 36. Wheels 34, 35 on the other tool feed shafts 34, 35 mesh with this wheel 33 (Figure 4). i

The tool feed shafts 31, 34, 35 carry at their outer ends the bevel wheels 31", 34 and 35", respectively, for driving bevel wheels 31, 34 and 35. These are each fast upon res ective counter-shafts 32 which are borne in Erackets on the oil tray 36 and upon each of which are secured four cams 37, 38, 37, 38".

With these latter respectively coact the follower rollers of lifting arms 40, 41, 40*, 41 pivoted on the oil tray 36. Each lifting arm is provided with an adjustably arranged pivot block 42 and to these blocks are pivoted rods 42", 42 42 and 42. These are connected to swinging levers 43, 43 43 and 43 respectively by which the vertical and horizontal tool carriers 43 and 44 receive their feed. These levers are rockably arranged on illars 45 in such a manner that they 'are a justable in height. The pillars 45 which are screwed into a centre piece in the oil tray 36 forming the machine base, carry an adjustably secured guide member 46 which receives the vertical tool carriers 43. The horizontal tool carriers 44 in which the tools are adjustable are adjustably arranged on the pillars 45 above the guide member 46 for the vertical tool carriers.

Above the tool carriers is a bearing member 47 which may be termed the spindle headstock which is firmly secured to the pillars 45 and forms a bearing for the revolver drum 9. The drum 9 carried in this headstock 47 is recessed in the centre as can be seen in Figure 5 and provided at the top and bottom with roller bearings for the vertical work spindles 10.

At the top it is provided with an indexing late 48 of greater diameter than the drum 5 and borne with the latter is the headstock 47 easily rotatable on a ball thrust bearing 49. The indexing plate 48 serves for step by step rotation of the revolver drum 9 and for holding the latter stationary in its workpositions. In the periphery of the indexing plate 48 six recesses 50 are rovided in which a bolt 51 (Figure 2) periodically engages, which is toothed on one longitudinal side to mesh with a segment 51 which is pivoted at 51 to swing in the horizontal plane and is under the control of a lever 51" provided with a follower roller which coacts with a .cam 51 upon the auxiliary control shaft 12. The indexing plate 48 also has slots 52 cut therein Maltese cross fashion, by which a pin 53 on a lever 54 can step the indexing plate forward. The lever 54 is fast upon a short control shaft 55, borne vertically in the headstock 47, carrying a toothed wheel 57 meshing with a wheel 56 (Figure 5) on the auxiliary control shaft 12 and thus intermittently rotated thereby to effect the movement of the indexing plate 48.

A grooved cam drum 58 is fast on the control shaft above the lever 54. This drum is surrounded by a control sleeve 59 with a lifting iece 60 held therein, which sleeve is provi d with acam follower 61 engaging in the groove of the drum 58, so that during. the rotation of the drum 58 it is alternately raised and lowered while by engaging over a pin 62 carried by an arm 63 (Figure 1 and 2) rotation of the sleeve is revented.

n the control shaft 55 there is also a cam control mechanism 64 for periodically operating a swinging member forming a stop for the material fed forward for a new working operation, this stop being longitudinally adjustable on its toothed shaft 66 and the latter'being removable from its bearing in the tool 7 ide member 46.

Each work spin e comprises a tube 72 (Figure 6) upon which the toothed wheel 10 driven by the wheel 8 on the main shaft 7 is fastened, while a slotted sleeve 69 is adjustably secured thereon. On the sleeve 69 is a sliding sleeve 68provided with a peripheral groove 68. In the slots of the sleeve 69 and within the sliding sleeve 68, swinging lifting levers 70 (Figures 6 and 7) are provided which are suspended on an annular seat 73 and also bear against a sleeve 74 (Figure 6) securedsto the upper end of the wor piece gripping tube 71. The sliding sleeve 68 actuates the lifting levers 70 when its groove 68 comes into cooperation with the lifting piece 60 of the control sleeve 59 and is then moved vertically thereby. When in this control operation the sliding sleeve 68 is moved downward, a hollow inthe sleeve 68 permits the lifting levers 70 to swing outwards under centrifugal force (see Figure 5 right hand side), while when the sleeve 68 is raised they are moved inwards thus exerting a lift on the sleeve 74 to move the work piece gripping tube 71 and the parts carried thereby into the working position as described "below.

In bores in the top of the sleeve 74 are provided positioning ins 75 which bear at one'endagainst'the tu e 72-and atthe'other against a ring 77 located in a sleeve 76. The sleeve 76 can be secured to the sleeve 74 by an adjusting screw. The ring 77 has two inwardly directed slots 77 which serve as guides for inwardly sliding brake shoes 18. The shoes 78 which act to brake the material when it is fed forward, exchangeable so that with thinner or thicker material they can be replaced by others Ofappropriate size. A spring spreadmg ring 78" between the brake shoes 78 serves to prevent them fromv falling out of the ring 77, when there is no length of material in the work spindle.

The lower end the work gripping tube 71 is attached to a split collet 79 (Figure 6) which at the outer side has a conical head 79 which is drawn into a seat 72 in the tube 72 to close the coliet, so that lliblld working condition the spring limbs of the collet 79 grip the work piece or rod .2 and the latter is thus held in the work spindle and rotates with it. The release of the collet 79 is effected by lowering of the sliding sleeve 68 (when a work spindle 10 is in engagement with the control sleeve o9 which allows the lifting levers 70 to swing outwards and in consequence tie sleeve 74 with the tube 71 resting on their edge 70 can sink slightly thus releasing the head 79 of the collet 79 from the seat 72 oft-he tube 72 so that the length of material can descend by its own weightfor a further sequence of operations.

i A sudden jolt in the movement of the descending material is prevented by he preking action of the shoes (8, the latter following the movement'of the material sliding down on the inner inclined surfaces 77 of shaft 12. As above stated the shaft 11 is I 80 (Figure 10 loose on a bee the ring 77 and thus bearing against he material. I

It re mine to describe the mechanism for periodically actuating the Xiliary control if) drivenfrom the shaft 3 by the worm ll (Figure 8) which transmits motion to the worln wheel 12*. The latter mounted together with one half of a toothed coupling bush 81 arranged on the machine frame id in which the auxiliary control shaft 12 rotates. Gn the shaft 12is slidably keyed the other half 80 of the coupling, provided with a lifting surface 80 and stop lug 80, which under the pressure of springs 80. A spring actuated bolt 81 engages beneath the lifting surface 80 of the coupling. half 8C where it bears against the lug 80 and thus prevents the engagement of the coupling halt 80 under the action of the springs 80 The bolt 81 is provided with a follower roller 81 which under the action of the bolt spring 81' ispressed against an inclined surface .82 (Figure of a slider 82 guided to move in a straight line path. lhis slider is under tation of the wheel 33 pushes the slider 82 outwards, the inclined surface 82 thereon moves the bolt 81 out of engagement with the coupling half 80 and the latter under the action of the springs 80 engages with the coupling half 80, whereby the auxiliary control shaft is driven by the continuously rotating worm wheel 12 the rotation continuing for one complete revolution only, because after the passage of the cam 33 past the nose 82 of the slider 82 the latter is immediately retracted towards the axis of the machine 3 y the springs 85 and thus permits the bolt 81 to move towards the'coupling half 80 and disengage the coupling half 80 when the inclined surface 80 runs on to the bolt, thus uncoupling the shaft 12.

In the machine illustrated it is assumed that the tools x with vertical feed consist say of roughing drills, finishing drills and reamers, whlle the tools 3 wlth horizontal I propriate levers 43" and 43 by links 67.

Since the work pieces are arranged above the tools the turnings fall straight down. To divert any turnings thrown towards the centre of the machine by centrifugal force, a throw-0E disc 87 is provided at a suitable height on the main shaft 7.

The mode of operation of the above described machine is as follows, assuming that all work spindlesare supplied with lengths of material, the tools selected in accordance with the shape of the work pieces, for instance the hubs shown in Figure 11, it is desired to make, and their feeds properly adjusted. The full working cycle of one work spindle will be considered from the point when the spindle has reached station I after a hub has been out off from the rod material there in (Figures 2 and While the auxiliary control shaft 12, whichis coupled through the coupling 80, 80 and has effected the movement of the work spindle to the station I, is still rotating, a forward feed of the material a in the spindle takes place at station I, through the agency of the rotation which coacts with a cam 33 on the of the shaft 12. This feed is rendered possible by the slidin sleeve 68 of the work spindle in question having come into en agement with the control sleeve 59 the grooved drum 58 driven from the auxiliary control shaft so that it must take part in the movement of this sleeve.

The sleeve 59 actuated by the drum 58 moves the sleeve 68 downwards and the lifting levers 70 are thus enabled to swing out by Centrifugal force (the spindle is rotating upon its own axis) so that the sleeve 74 sup rted thereby up till this instant and the tube 71 attached thereto together with the collet 79 and the rod of material 2 can descend far enough to permit the collet 79, of which the conical head 79 leaves its seat 72 in the tube 72 to open and allow free descent of the material 2 until it'reaches the stop 65 which has in the meantime been swung into stopping position. At the same time the sleeve 76 also moves downwards, while the ring 77 remains supported by the ins 75 which results in the brake shoes 78 ollowing the downward movement of the material being moved to brake the sinking material. The material thus automatically feeds itself forwardby an amount whi'ch'is limited to the length of the hub'to be made b the stop member 65. Directly this is completed the sliding sleeve 68 is raised by the action of the grooved drum 58, the lifting levers 70 are swung inwards, the sleeve 74 is slightly raised by the edges 70 of the levers 70 and therewith also the tube 71with the collet 79 which now grips the material owing to its conical head 79 being drawn into the slating 72 of the tube 72, so that the stop 65 which is no longer needed to sup ort the material can swing laterally out of t e way.

The tools which have to operate upon the work piece at station I and which up to this instant have been out of action, are now moved into their operating positions, the still rotating auxiliar control shaft 12 through the cam 16 an the lever 17 having engaged the coupling 15, 18 to couple the worm 11 driven by the shaft 3 with the shaft 13 and transmit the drive. thence through the wheels 19, shaft 21 and gears 24, (Figures 3 and 5) to the tool feed shafts 3'1, 34, 35, the (oupling half 80 then running with its inclined surface 80 on to the bolt 81 which directly after the coupling has been enga d has a ain been released by the cam 33 gigure 9 whereby it is disengaged and the auxiliary control shaft 12 brought to rest. In this position the vertical axial rou 'hing drill in and a horizontally fed roughin tool 3/ come intoaction. For explainingtiie movement of the tools reference is 'directedto the left hand side of Figure 5, it being at the same time pointed out that the movements of the tools at all six stations of the work spindles are similar. The feed of the vertical drill is effected by one of the feed cams 37 which through the linkage 42, 43 first rapidly lifts the drill and then by a spiral ortion 37 slowly feeds it up, while the dril is rotated through the respective wheels 86. The feed of the lateral roughing tool 3 is effected by one of the feed cams 38 which is similarly formed to the above mentioned cam 37 and first rapidly feeds the tool into position through the linkage 42", 43, 67 and then feeds it slowly by a spiral portion 38. In this way axial boring and lateral turning of the work piece are effected.

When this operation is complete, first the slider 82 is pushed back by the cam 33 of the wheel 33 which receives its motion from the shaft 3 through the wheel 31, in order by withdrawing the bolt 81 to allow the coupling half 80 to engage the coupling half 80 thus setting the auxiliary control shaft 12 again in motion. The result is that after withdrawal of the revolver drum bolt 51, the revolver drum 9 is rotated through by the Maltese cross mechanism 52, 53, 54, carrying the work spindle in question with the roughed work piece to the station II (Figure 2), where a further operation thereon takes place. At this new station a second drill and a second roughing tool come into action on the work piece in the spindle in question, under the feed of the cams 37, 38". A further step of the revolver drum brings the spindle to the station III (Figure 2), where say a third drill and a third roughing tool carry on the work, now under the feed of other cams37 and 38. After this the spindle comes to station IV where say a larger drill and a form tool come into action, then to station V where a finishing drill and finishing form tool elfect the last stage in shaping the work piece, and finally to station V where say a reamer and cut-ti off tool complete and part 03 the finishe work piece. Thus a work piece is obtained here say of the form shown in Figure 11, assuming that the drills and tools have the proper form and their feeds effected by the various feed cams adjusted to suit the work. Finally the work spindle a ain reaches the station where a forward fee of the material takes place as described above.

What is described above for one work spindle naturally applies to the others which one after another all pass through the sta tions described in accordance with the step by step movement of the revolver drum 9 carrying them, so that hubs as shown in Figure 11 are obtained as long as there is suflicient material in the spindles and no change is made in the tools and their feeds; If a different profile is desired on the hub, or an altogether different work piece, the tools and feeds must be changed accordingly.

40 "3 be adjusted to suit the lengths of the work The automatic vertical feed of the material always remains a main characteristic of the machine, as well as its axial positioning by means of the centripetal force. Indeed, the feed forward of the material takes place without a feed chuck by'simple descent of the material, and owing to the rotation of the spindles on their own vertical axes,

' self centerin of the material on the axis of rotation is produced by centripetal force, the

0 material then being gripped for working in a collet chuck. That the machine as described works rapidly and gives a large output is obvious. Owing to the self-centering of the work pieces noiseless guiding thereof in the spindles takes place, since the rods themselves rotate without undesirable chattering movement. The ease of rotation of the revolver drum with the parts carried thereby, owing to the support thereof on a ball bearing, increases the output capacity of the machine.

r The vertical arrangement of the machine with vertical feed of the material decreases the floor space required, which is usually more limited than the height available.

The accessibility of the machine from all sides is a notable advantage particularly with the mounting of the parts on pillars in place of in a closed frame. The turnings 3 simply fall downwards; in addition to the throw-oil disc 87 means canbe provided to prevent the turnings getting into the driving gear of the machine. To carry away the work pieces a runway can be provided.

Advantageously the revolver drum. 9 is adjustable in height on the frame pillars of the machine ,the same applies to the vertical axial tool holders and the horizontal guides for the side tools. In this way the tools can pieces to be machined.

If the work pieces do not require such extensive operations as described above and a smaller number of tools suiiice for machining them, the described machine can be provided, as indicated in Figure 12, with a second control mechanism 55, 58', 59 diametrically opposite the mechanism 55, 58,

59 so that with a'smaller number of opera-v tions, the material is fed forward after half a rotation of the work spindles about the axis ofthe machine, and accordingly two work pieces completed at each step of the machine. Naturally a second stop member to limit the feed of the material must then also be provided. In this way a double automatic machine is obtained.

lVith tools for screwing it may be advantageous to e'ii'ect their rotation into and out of action by the aid of different relative speeds with respect to the material. For this purpose two gears 92*, 92 of different ratios for the rotation. of the screwing tools can be provided'as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5, while the feed motion is correspondingly controlled. For rotating the tool while in action it is driven from the shaft 7 through one gear, while its rotation out of action is effected through the other gear. Between the gears 92 and 92 is arranged a coupling 92 which can be coupled to either gear. The coupling is moved by a slider 93 carrying a pin 91 which engages in a grooved cam 90 on the swinging shaft66 of the stop member 65 so that the movement of the shaft 66 with the stop member also changes over the coupling from the gear 92 to the gear 92 and viceversa through the. cam 90.

may happen that the workpieces are to be provided with bore holes, openings, slots or the like directed transversely to their axis. It is obvious that for such working, the work spindles cannot rotate upon their axis, but must be in position of rest. A-construction that allows the work spindles to be brought at rest for thispurpose is represented by Figures 13 and 14. I

In thismodification, a springurged friction clutch is interposed between the spindle 10 and its driving wheel 10 this clutch comprising a conical hollow part 109 integral with the toothedwheel 10 and a conical sliding sleeve 108 mounted on a jacket 110 of the spindle 10 and subjected to the actionof a pressure spring 111 which tends to frictionally engagethe sliding sleeve-108 with said hollow'part 109. p

In the centre of the revolver drum 9 there is arranged a vertical guide sleeve 100 provided with vertical guide slots 101 and engaged over the enlarged head part 103 of a 'fixed'vertical rod 102, said head part being provided with an annular groove 104 and a cam 105 projecting thereinto. The slots 101 serve as guides for controlling slides 106 corresponding in number to the working spindleslO and which are arranged around the rod head part 103and are so shaped that they engage by two fork arms 106 into an annular groove 108"' of the: coupling sleeves 108 for displacing same. ,The-controlling slides 106 are each provided with a controlling pin 107 engaging the groove 104 and producing by its cooperation with the cam 105 the disengagement of the friction clutch. 7 Y s The cam 105 is located at a certain predetermined point of the circular path and the sleeve 100 is connected by suitable means to the revolver drum 9 so as to partake of the intermittent rotary movement thereof on to rest, eventua braking device.

109. The clutch is disengaged for the respective work s indle 10 and the same comes 1 with the aid of asuitable l'he work piece now at rest can receive the transverse operation, whereupon, when the controlling pin 107 leaves the cam 105, the coupling is reengaged' for the rotation of the work spindle. It results i from the" foregoing that, while five work spindles, that is all that are not in the field of operation of the cam 105, rotate upon their own axes, the sixth always, the drive I of whichis disengaged by the cam 105, does t the combination of a central main riving shaft, automaticmeans for driving same, a number of rotary vertical work piece holding hollow spindles distributed around'said central shaft, a number of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and located beneath said work piece indles, a holder for said tools, a revolver rum ooaxially arranged to said driving shaft and having bearings for said work piece spindles, a number of vertical frame columns distributed around said central shaft and arranged to su port said revolver drum and said tool holder, means for to tating said revolver drum step by step to bring the work piece spindles successively into different working positions with re-' spect to the tools, automatic feeding means on said work piece holding spindlesto ver-' w tically feed the workpieces by adownward movement tothe operative tools, and driving means between said central shaft and the work piece holding spindlesso arranged as to rapidly rotate same upon their own axes at such a speed as to simultaneously i produce an accurate axial setting of the work pieces withintheir holding spindles. 2. In an automatic lathe of the vertical t the combination of a central main driving shaft, automatic means for drivin same, a number of a rotary vertical wor piece holding hollow spindles distributed around said central shaft-,a number of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and located beneath said work piece h spindles, an adjustable holder for said tools,

a revolver drum coaxially arranged to said shaft and having bearings for said work piece spindles, a number of vertical frame columns distributed around said central shaftand arranged to support said revolver drum and said tool holder, means for rotating said revolver drum step by step to bring the work piece spindles successively into different working positions with respect to the tools, automatic feedin means on said work piece holding spind es to vertically feed the work pieces by a downward movement to the operative tools, and driving means between said central shaft and the work piece holding spindles so arranged as to rapidly rotate same upon their own axes at such a speed as to simultaneously produce an accurate axial setting of the work pieces within their holdin spindles.

3. In an automatic lathe of the vertical type, the combination of a central main driving shaft, automatic means for driving same, a number of rotary vertical work piece holding hollow s indles distributed around said central sha t, a number of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and located beneath said work piece spindles, a holder for-said tools, a revolver drum 'coa-xially arranged to said dri shaft and having bearings for said wor piece spindles, a hollow carrier for said revolver drum, vertical frame columns distributed around said central .shaft and arranged to support said revolver drum carrier and saidtool holder, means for rotating said revolver-drum. step by step to bring the work piece spindles successively into di ferent working positions with respect to the tools, automatic feeding means on said work piece. holding spindles to vertically feed the work pieces by a downward movement tovthe operative tools, and driving means between said central shaft and the work piece holding spindles so arranged as to rapidly rotate same upon their own axes at such'a speed as to simultaneously produce an accurate axial setting of the work pieces within their holdin spindles.

4. In an automatic lathe of the vertical type,'the combination of a central main driving shaft, automatic means for driving same, a number of rotary vertical work piece holding hollow s indles distributed around said central sha a number of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and located beneath said work piece spindles, a holder for said tools, a revolver drum coaxially arranged to said driving shaft and having bearings for said work piece spindles, a hollowcarrier for said revolver drum.

vertical frame columns distributed around said centralshaft and arranged to support said revolver drum carrier and said tool holder, means for rotating said revolver drum step by step to brin the work piece spindles successively into ifierent working positions with respectto the tools, automatic feeding means on said work piece holding spindles to vertically feed the work pieces by a downward movement to the. operative tools, a controlling device for said work piece feeding means, interconnecting means to establish an operative connection between said controlling device and said work piece feeding means one time at each revolution of the spindles, and driving means between said central shaft and the work piece hold ing spindles enclosed within said hollow revolver drum carrier and so arranged as to rapidly rotate same upon their own axes at such a speed as to simultaneously produce an accurate axial setting of the work pieces within their-holding spindles,

5 In an automatic lathe of the vertical type, the combination of a central .main driving shaft, automatic means for driving same, av number of rotary vertical work piece holding hollow spindles distributed around said central shaft, a number of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and located beneath said work piece spindles, a common holder for said tools, a revolver drum coaxially arringed to said driving shaft and having bearings for said work piece spindles, a hollow carrier for said revolver drum, vertical frame columns distributed around said central shaft and arranged to support said revolver drum carrier and said tool holder, means for rotating said revolver drum step by step to bring the wor r piece spindles successively into different working positions with respect to the '1 tools, automatic feeding means on said work piece holding. spindles to vertically feed the work pieces by a downward movement to the operative tools, a rotary controlling cam drum for said work piece feeding means, a controlling sliding sleeve thereon in cooperation with the cam part of said drum, means for interconnecting said sliding sleeve with the work piece feeding means one time at each revolution of the spindles, and driving means between said central shaft and the work piece holding spindles onclosed within said hollow revolver drum carrier and so arranged as to rapidly rotate same upon their own axes at such a speed as to simultaneously produce an accurate axial setting. of the work pieces within their holding spindles.

.6. In an automatic lathe of the vertical type, the combination of a central main driving shaft, automatic means for driving same, a number of rotary vertical work piece holding hollow spindles distributed around said central shaft, a number. of operative tools distributed around said central shaft andlocated beneath said work piece spindles, automatic feeding means on said work piece holding spindles to vertically feed the work pieces. by a downward movement to the operative tools, braking means on said. work piece holding spindles to brake the downward movement of the work pieces when being fed, and driving means between said central shaft and the Work piece holding spindles so arranged as to rapidly rotate same upon their own axes at such a speed as to simultaneously produce an accurate axial setting of the work pieces within their holding spindles.

7. In an automatic lathe of the vertical type, the combination of a central main driving shaft, automatic means for driving same, a number of rotary vertical work piece holding hollow spindles distributed around said central shaft, a number of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and located beneath said work piece spindles, a holder for said tools, arevolver drum coaxially arranged to said drivin shaft and having bearings for said work piece spindles, vertical frame columns distributed around said central shaft and arranged to support said. revolver drum and said tool holder, means for rotating saidrevolver drum step by step to bring the work piece spindles successi' ely into different working positions vith respect to the tools, automatic feeding i l cnlls on work piece holding spindles to vertically feed the work pieces by a downward.movement to the operative tools, a common auxiliary control shaft for controlling said revolver drum advancing means J l said work piece 'fSQQlDQj means, a condevice between said auxiliary control ft and said main driving shaft for periactuation of said auxiliary control and drivingmeans between said censhaft and the work piece holding spindles so arranged as to rotate same upon theirv own axes at high s eed for accurate axial setting of the work pieces within their holding spindles.

8. In automatic lathe of the vertical type, the combination of a central main driving shaft, automatic means for driving same, a

number of rotary vertical work piece holds,

in hollow spindles distributeu around said central shaft, 2. numoer of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and located beneath said work piece spindles, a r volver drum Xially arranged to said driving shaft and having bearingsfor said work piece spindles. a common tool holder, a number of vertical frame columns carryin said revolver drum with the work piece ing spindles as well as said tool holder,

m. as for rotating said revolver drum step by step to bring the work piece spindles success vely into different working positions with respect to the tools, automatic feeding means on said work niece holding spindles to vertically feed the work pieces by a down ward movement to the operative tools, and driving means between said central shaft and the work piece homing spindles soarranged to rotate same. upon their own axes at a high speed for accurate axial no" lag of the work pieces within their holding spindles. a

9. In an automatic lathe of the vertical type, the combination of a central main drivif!!! shaft, automatic means for driving same, a number of rotarv vertical work piece holding hollow s indles distributed around said central shaft, a number of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and located beneath said work piece spindles, a common holder for said tools, a revolver drum coaxially arranged to said driving shaft and having, bearings for said work piece spindles, vertical frame columns to supportsaid revolver drum and tool holder, a central drive for rotating tne tools acting b rotation, a lever mechanism for advancing the tools to the working pieces, carried by said frame columns, a laterally arranged driving cam device for controlling said lever mechanism, said cam device being connected to the central main drivin" shaft, means for rotatin said revolver drum step by step to bring t e work piece snindles successively into different working positions with respect to the tools, automatic feeding means on said work piece holdin." spindles to verticallv feed the work pieces by a downward movement to the operative tools, and driving means between said central shaft and the work piece holding spindles so arranged as to rotate same upon their own axes at a high speed for accurate axial setting of the work nieces within their holding spindles.

10. In an automatic lathe of the vertical type, the combination of a central main driving shaft, automatic means for driving same, a number of rotary vertical work piece holding hollow spindles distributed around said central shaft, a number of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and located beneath said work piece spindles, a revolver drumcoaxiallv arranged to said driving shaft and having bearings for said work piece spindles, a hollow carrier for said revolver drum extending around the set of the work piece spindles,

a ball bearing on said carrier for said revolver drum, means for rotating the latter step by step to bring the work piece spindles successively into different working positions with respect to the tools, automatic feeding means on said'work piece holding spindles to vertically feed the work pieces by a downward movement to the operative tools and driving means between said central shaft and the work piece holding spindles,

enclosed within said hollow revolver drum carrier and so arranged as to rotate same upon their own axes at a high speed for accurate axial setting of the work pieces within their holding spindles.

1 1. In an automatic lathe of the vertical type, the combination of a central main driving shaft, automatic means for driving same, a number of rotary vertical work piece holding hollow spindles distributed around said central shaft, a number of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and located beneath said work piece spindles, a revolver drum coaxially arranged to said driving" shaft and having bearings for said work piece spindles, a Maltese cross plate rigidly connected to the revolver drum, having substantially the same diameter as the latter, a hollow carrier for said revolver drum extendin around the set of work piece spindles, a bal bearing on said carrier for said Maltese cross plate, advancing means cooperating with the latter to bring the work piece spindles successively into different workingpositions with respect to the tools, automatic feeding means on said work piece holding to vertically feed the work pieces by a downward movement to the operative tools, and driving means between said central shaft and the work piece holding spindles, enclosed within said holder revolver drum carrier and so arranged as to rotate same upon their own axes at a high speed for accurate axial setting of the work pieces within their holdin spindles.

12. nan automatic lathe of the vertical type, the combination of a central main driving shaft, automatic means for drivin same, a number of rotary vertical wor piece holding hollow s indles distributed around said central sha a number of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and located beneath said work piece spindles, automatic feeding means on said work piece holding spindles to vertically feed the work pieces by a downward movement to the operative tools, said feeding means comprising a tubular body, a slidable clamp sleeve therein for the working piece, hinged levers arranged to support said clamp sleeve and capable of swinging out under the action of the centrifugal force, aslidablc control sleeve arranged to hold said levers in supporting position, means to pcriodically displace said control sleeve so as to allow said levers to swing out and consequently said clamp sleeve to free the working piece for its sinking down, and driving means between said central shaft and the workpiece holding spindles so arranged as to rotate same upon their own axes at a high speed for accurate axial setting of the work pieces within their holding spindles.

13. In an automatic lathe of the vertical type, the combination of a central main driving shaft, automatic means for driving same, a number of rotary vertical work piece holding hollow spindles distributed around said central shaft, a number of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and locatedbeneath said work iece spindles, a holder for said tools, drive mechanisms for actuating said tools with a different speeding ratio for the operative and the return stroke thereof, a revolver drum c0- axially arranged to said driving shaft and having bearin s for said work piece spindles, vertical rame columns for supporting said revolver drum and tool holder, means for rotating said revolver drum step by step to bring the work piece spindles successively into different working positions with respect to the tools, automatic feeding means on said work piece holding spindles to vertically feed the work pieces by a downward movement to the operative tools, and driving means between said central shaft and the work piece holding spindles so arranged as to rotate same upon their own axes at a high speed for accurate axial setting of the work pieces within their holding spindles.

14. In an automatic lathe of the vertical type, the combination of a central main driving shaft, automatic means for driving same, a number of rotary vertical work piece holding hollow spindles distributed around said central shaft, a number of operative tools distributed around said central shaft and located beneath said work piece spindles, a revolver drum coaxially arranged to said driving shaft and having bearings for said work piece spindles, means for rotating said revolver drum step by step to bring the work piece spindles successively into different working positions with respect to the tools, automatic feeding means on said work piece holding spindles to vertically feed the work pieces by a downward movement to the operative tools, driving means between said central shaft and the work piece holding spindles so arranged as to rotate same upon their own axes at a high speed for accurate axial setting of the work pieces within their holding spindles, a coupling on each work piece holding spindle in combination with said driving means to allow disengagement thereof for a temporary stopping of the normal rotation of the work piece holding spindle, and a central common control device for automatically controlling the coupling on the work piece holding spindles during the revolving path thereof.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 29th day of June 1931.

OTTO SCHAERER. 

